Automatically changing sign or advertising device



I July'28, 1931. F. BEDDISON 1,816,716

AUTOMATICALLY CHANGINfi SIGN OR ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed June 9,- 1930 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Flhajeddis 0/2 July 28; 1931.

F. L. BEDDISON AUTOMATICALLY CHANGING SIGN 0R ADVERTISING DEVICE FiledJune 9, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 28, 1931 UNITED STATES,PATENT OFFICE FRANCIS LOVELL BEDDISON, OF EAST ST. KILDA, VICTORIA,AUSTRALIA AUTOMATICALLY CHANGING SIGN OR ADVERTISING DEVICE Applicationfiled June 9, 1930, Serial No. 460,028, and in Australia October 28,1929.

This invention relates to automatically changing signs or advertisingdevices, and has especial reference to devices wherein a number ofcarrier elements, such as endless bands or chains, each carrying stripsor sections of different signs, advertisements or.

the like are operated so that appropriate strips or sections on eachcarrier element are simultaneously brought into registry at desiredintervals to form a complete sign which remains stationary in a displayposition for a suit-able period before the next sign is built up bymovement of the carrier elements.

In order to ensure the effective dispiay of such signs, ictures and thelike it is highly desirable, if not essential, that the sign strips orsections should be in the form of rigid slats or like members, and thatsuch slats be arranged on their carriers and operated in such mannerthat the slats of each series forming a complete sign or picture will,when in the display position, be perfectly flush with each other withthe trans-.

verse edges of one slat contacting with the respective edges ofneighbouring slats. To

attain the bestpresentation of the signs it is also beneficial that thechanges from one sign to another should be effected rapidly and Withoutdisclosing any of the internal 0 parts of the apparatus.

The general object of the present invention is to provide an advertisingor like device which is simple and reliable and will ef-' fectivelypresent signs, advertising matter and the like in accordance with theabovementioned desirable conditions.

One of the specific objects of the invention is to provide in a deviceof the nature indicated, means which will ensure rigid or Q semi-rigidslatlike sign or display sections to move into and out of their displaypositions with ample clearance and yet ensure that there will be no gapsbetween the slats when they are in the display position.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of the generalnature indicated a simple and effective aligning means which will ensurethat the coacting slats when brought into display positions will bepositively aligned and made flush with each cnanglng.

other so that the pictures, signs or the like will not be marred by anygaps between. the slats or by any slat being inclined to the others.

' The aligning means are automatic in action and may be adapted to givean audible signal just asoeach change is made so as to attract attentionto each completed sign that is displayed. i

In accordance. with this invention the plates or slats are not swungbodily in an arcuate path-about a fixed centre as they approach andleave the display position but, on the contrary, are caused to moveabout a point or centre which is continuall:v Each slat just beforemoving into a display position is disposed at substantially right anglesto the next slat of its series already in the display position, and thefirst mentioned slat is swung or moved into the display position in sucha manner that what may be termed its leading edge has asemicircularmotion while its trailing edge moves first inwardly or downwardlyandthen outwardly or upwardly so that the slat is eventually brought intodisplay position with its trailing edge in the 1 position occupied bythe leadlng edge just efore the change. The movement out of displayposition is substantiallythe reverse,

that is to say that the trailing edge moves through an arc of 180 andthe leading edge moves first inwards or upwards and then outwards ordownwards.

The aboveandother objects and featuresz of the invention and theadvantages arising therefrom will, however, be more readily appreciatedfrom the following description which-relates to one practical embodimentof the invention. It should be understood, however, that variousmodifications, refinements, and/0r additions may be incorporated in theconstruction an arrangement of parts hereinafter disclosedwithout-departing from the spirit and scope of the in vention as definedby the appended claims. Referring to the drawings which form part ofthis specification Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic side sectionalelevation of apparatus in accordance with this invention indicating thegeneral layout of the parts. I

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross section of portion of one of the carrierelements seen in Figure 1 and showing one of the slats in its displayposition.

Figures 3 and a show intermediate positions assumed by the carrierelement and'the slats while the sign is changing.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side view on an enlarged scale of the skeletonsupporting frame, showing one suitable arrangement for driving thevarious carrier elements in synchronism. 7

Figure 6 is a front view of the apparatus parts being broken awayand-omitted for convenience of illustration.

Figure 7 is a part sectional plan taken on the line VII-VII of Figure 6.

Figure '8 is an enlarged fragmentary side View of the aligning mechanismseen in Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a sectional plan of the parts seen in Figure 8.

Figure '1-0 is an enlarged cross section of portion of the intermittentdriving mechanism seen inFigures'G and 7.

Figure lllis a cross section on an enlarged scale of a periodic electricswitch device seen in Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan View on an enlarged scale of the back'ofa pair of adjacent slats, showing-one method of attaching same'to thecarrier elements.

-According to the practical embodiment illustrated aseries of carrierelements, each comprising a pair of endless bands 2 are arrangedinsuperposed or contiguous forma tion within a skeleton framework 3,and-each carrier has attached thereto a series of plates, slats or likerigid memberst which bear on their outer faces dlfi'erent sections ofdifferent signs, pictures, or other display matter. The slats sheetmetal.

'Each carrier element may comprise one or more, but preferably twoendless flexible band-s2, belts or chains to which a series of the slats4 is attached so that the slats exare preferably of thintend'transversely of the bands, with the laterally extending edges ofeach slat touching or close to those of the next slats of the series.

For each carrier element there is provided front and rear operatingmembers comprisingspindles 7 disposed parallel to each other atthe frontand rear of the frame 3 and rotatably supported 'to extend from side toside of the frame. Each of the spindles 7 maybe provided adjacent eachof its ends with diametacally'opposite radial arms 8, and extendingbetween the tips of thearms adj acentone end and tipsof the armsadjacent the other end aretwo lateral rods 9 which move in a circularpath with the the depth of the slat.

be conveniently .designatedthe leading edge 4a, and the other thetrailing edge tb, according to the direction of travel of the carrierand its slats.

In adisplay position one slat 4: at the front of each series will extendin the same plane as the radial arms 8 of the respective spindles and infront of the lateral rods 9 extending between the arms. The rods 9 willcontactwith the inner faces of the flexible bands 6 at points adjacentthe lateral edges of the slat, or between such edges and the adjacentedges of the two slatsat each side thereof as seen more clearly inFigures 2 to L In such position it will be evident that the front orexposed slats of each series will form thedesired picture, sign oradvertisement, and that the other slats of each series with theexception of the rear slats will lie in a plane at substantially rightangles to the front and rear slats.

in order to enable the carrier bands 6, together wlth their slats to liefiat against the two rods 9 when in the display position are of 180about the spindle 7, the'radiusn of the arc conforming to the length ofthe radial arm 8 which isapproximately half The ot ier lateral rod turnsinwardly away from the leading edge la of the slat which is thus freeto.

swing or move first inwardly (as in Fig "ure while the'traillng edge ismoving through the first portion of its'arc, and

then outwardly until the slat assumes a substantially horizontal orright angled position wlth its trailingedge in the position prev1ouslyoccupied by its leading edge.

Simultaneously with the foregoing action the next slat 4 is brought intothe display position due to-said lateral rod 9 causing.

the leading edge 4a of the slat l to follow,"

the trailing edge 4?) of the previous slat through the arc of 180 whilethe trailing edge 46 of the second 4 is free to move first inwards andthen outwards until the slat arrives in the proper display position.whereupon rotation of the spindle is auto-.

matically arrested for a suitable period. Then the slats are in displaypositions the carrier bands are taut or comparatively taut but duringthe changes of the sign the bands automatically sag or develop slacknesssuflicient to allow the aforesaid inward and outward movements of theleading edge of the slats moving out of the display position, and thetrailing edge of the slats moving into the display position.

By the foregoing it is ensured that the slats turn in their own depth orbreadth and thus the slats of one series cannot foul those of another.At the same time no gap is left between the front slats of each serieswhereby it is assured that the completely builtup picture sign oradvertisement will be devoid of apparent cracks, divisions or the like.Another advantage arising from the foregoing is that the slats, duringtheir movements into and out of the display position effectively concealthe internal mechanism so that the changes of sign take place withoutallowing observers to view the internal parts nor to understand theoperation of the apparatus.

The series of carriers 6, spindles 7, rods 9, and associated parts mayextend horizontally or vertically within a suitable casing 18 having awindow 19 carried by a door through which the completed signs or thelike may be viewed.

In order to minimize sagging of the carrier bands 2 during changing ofthe sign, a supporting roller 12 maybe arranged to extend transverselybetween the upper and lower stretches of each band intermediately of thelength thereof. These supporting rollers may be carried by spindles 13rotatably mounted at their ends on vertical posts 11. The lowermostroller 12 is situated beneath the lower stretch of the bottom carrierband. i

The slats 4 may be attached to the bands 2 by providing each slat withtwo or more straps 16 (see Figure 12) which pass over the respectiveband and maybe secured to the back of the slat at each side of the bandby soldering, welding or the like. One end of each of these straps 16may be bent sidewardly to thereby form outstanding lips or projections17 which are adapted to engage the rods 9 and thus provide a gripbetween the latter and the carrier band. The lips or projections 17 onadjacent slats are pref-.

erably formed on opposite ends of the straps 16 thus avoiding anypossibility of fouling whilst moving around the rods 9 and splndle 7during changlng of the sign.

The power for actuating the device may bederived from any suitablesource, such for instance as an electric motor 21 disposed in the casing18 and adapted for connection to mains. The driving gear incorporates:any suitable means for converting continuous motion of the driving motoror the like into intermittent motion of the spindles 7 According to onesuitable embodiment, the drive from the motor 21 is transmitted to acmain driving shaft 22 through a series of intermediate shafts andsuitable reduction gearing indicated in Figures 1, 6 and 7. One of theseintermediate shafts 23 is rotated continuously and adapted to impart,

intermittent rotation to an adjacent shaft For this-purpose the shaft 23may be provided with an outstanding radial arm 26 (Figure 10) carrying aroller 27 at its outer end which. is adapted during each completesrevolution of shaft 23 to engage an arm 28 of a series of radial armswhich are fixed to the shaft 24. By this arrangement intermittentrotation of the shaft 24 and conse quently the main driving shaft 22 iseffectedg'i;

rotation being in the direction of the arrows seen in Figure 10. Apawland ratchet device 30 (Figure 7) may be associated with shaft 22 toprevent free rotation thereof.

The drive to the spindle 7 from the intermittent rotary shaft 22 mayinvolve toothed gearingor it may be of the chain or any other suitabletype. 1

1 ACCOTClIIIgtO one embod ment seen in Figthe spindles 7 and the chain31 is preferabl arranged to pass around adjacent sprocket wheelsatopposite sides thereof or in a zigzag direction as shown. may beprovided to maintain the desired tension in the driving chain. Ifdesired 5. second driving chain 34 may extend between the shaft 22 andone of the top sprocket wheels 32 in order to compensate any lag orslackness in the chain 31 and ensure that thecarriers and slats will beoperated i1: perfect synchronism.

An elongated; slot 36 having a clamping bolt 37 associated therewithmaybe provided in each of the longitudinal bars 38 offthe framework 3 inorder to adjust any slacl'; ness in the various carrier elements.

If desired the spindles 7 may be rotated in the same direction butpreferably they are adapted to-rotate in opposite directions aspreviously described with reference to Figure 5. By thislatterarrangementthe contiguous upper and lower stretches of adjacentcarrier elements will travel in the same direction as each other so thatwhen adjacent slats come into contact as in passing Jockey pulleys 33over the aforesaid intermediate supporting which may be printed,written, embossed orouter 'facesof the slats.

ing or like frictional contact between the It follows that the sign ordisplay matter on such outer faces,

stamped, or consist of paper or fabric sheets or strips or photographs,will not besubject to rubbing and will thus retain their surface orfinish indefinitely.

' A variable resistance 41 may be interposed between the electric supplymains and the motor 21 for the purpose of varying the speed of the saidmotor and thus regulating the interval between each change ofadvertisement.

Provision may also be made for automaticallyvarying the supply ofelectrical energy to the motor so that it may operate comparativelyslowly during the showing of an advertisement and be-automaticallyspeeded up to effect quick changes of the advertisements.

For this purpose the shaft 28 (see F igure 11) may be provided with aradial arm or striker 4L2 adapted to travel just in advance of theaforesaid arm 26 and to periodically contact with a spring plate 13. Theplate as is electrically connected with the input end of the resistancell whilst the striker J2 is also electrically connected with the motorby any suitable means. By this arrangement the resistance 4.1 normallyreduces the supply of energy to the motor to a minimum until theco-aligned members are brought into contact, whereupon the resistance isautomatically cut out and the motor receives the full supply of energyavailable in the mains.

When the slats 4 arrive ina display position they will be supportedsubstantially flush with each other by the front operating members. Itis possible, however, that they may be not perfectly flush with eachother, and to correct any such error an aligning device may be providedto come into action automatically as the slats come into displaypositions to thereby positively align the plates and ensure that theyare allperfectly flush with each other. 5e

The aligning device may comprise a straight bar, rod or other rigidmember 51 mounted in the framework 3 as in Figures 1, 8 and 9, so as toextend adjacent one side of the sign and contact with all of the radialarms 8 associated with the 'front slats of the series when in a displayposition.

The aligning bar 51 may be yieldingly held in its operative position bya spring 52 but is automatically swung out of such position during everychanging of the sign and swung into position at the completion ofevery'change. The means for actuating the aligning bar may obviouslyvary but according to one arrangement it is mounted .to

turn withsa spindle 53 supported on the and a suitable stationary partextends the spring 52. If desired this arm may also have a rod or-proect1on provided with a roller which contacts with a cam member upon ashaft which receives intermittent motion by medium of the aforesaiddriving means, theconstruction and arrangement being such that duringthe changing of the sign the aligning bar 51 is forced by the action ofthe cam and against the influence of the spring away from the aforesaidradial arm 8 but at the end of each change is forced back by the springinto contact with the slats to effect the aligning action.

The cam member and associated roller are however preferably omitted andmovement of the aligning bar effected by the rotary movement of thevarious arms 8, the spring 52 tending to maintain the bar in constantengagement with said arms and to thus ensure that they and the slats.are in perfect alignment when in a display position.

The aligning means may be silent in operation or it maybe allowed togive rise to an audible signal indicating that a change has beeneffected. If desired a gong, bell or the like may be arranged to bestruck autoatically each time the aligning bar 51 moves into anoperative position. The aligning bar may act upon the front of the realsurfaces .of the aforesaid arms '8.

.the device either externally or internally.

For example a series of electric lamps 61 and reflectors 62 may besuitably mounted on the door 20 so that the light is directed onto thesign. The casing 18 may be of any suit able form and the various partsmay be disposed and mounted therein in anysuitable position and in anysuitable manner.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1 1. An automatically, changing sign oradvertising device comprising a series of end less carriers arranged insuperposed or side by side formation, rotary operating members extendingtransversely between the opposite stretches of each. carrier at thefront of the device, a serles of rigid or semi-rigid slats attached toand extending transversely .of each carrier and bearing sections ofdifferent signs or advertisements, and means for intermittently andsimultaneously reversing said rotary operating members wherebythe slatsof each series will be successively moved into. and out of displaypositions to form complete signs or advertisements the slats beingmaintained substantially flush and with their transverse edges incontact with each other in their display positions by said operatingmembers.

2. An automatically changing sign or advertising device as claimed inclaim 1 characterized in that said operating members are so constructedand arranged that in moving each slat into and out of the displayposition, one transverse edge of the slat has a semi-circular motion andthe other trans verse edge moves first inwardly and then outwardly inrelation to the remote or opposite stretch of the carrier.

3. An automatically changing sign or advertising device comprising aseries of car riers such as endless bands or chains arranged insuperposed or side by side fornation, a series of rigid slats attachedto and extending transversely of each carrier and bearing sections ofdifferent signs or advertisements on their outer faces, the depth ofeach slat being substantially the ame as the distance between theopposed stretches of its carrier, operating members for said carriersand slats at the front and rear of the device, and means for reversingthe operating members, whereby the slats of each series are successivelymoved into dis play positions to form different signs.

4. An automatically changing sign or advertising device as claimed inclaim 8 charcterized in that said operating members are so constructedand arranged that in moving each slat into and out of the displayposition, one transverse edge of the slat has a semi-circular motion andthe other transverse edge moves first inwardly and then utwardly inrelation to the remote or opposite stretch of the carrier.

5. An automatically changing sign or advertisin device, comprising aseries of endess carriers arranged in superposed or side 3y sideformation, rotary operating members extending transversely betweenopposite stretches of each carrier at the front of the device, a seriesof rigid slats attached o and extending transversely of each carrier andbearing sections of difl erent signs or advertisements, each of saidoperating members comprising a transversely elongated rectangularstructure, the transverse dges of which coincide with the transverseedges of a slat in the display position, the rectangular structure beingadapted to be turned about a transverse axis aligned with the centre ofits side edges, and means for ntermittently and simultaneously turningsaid operating members whereby the slate of each series will besuccessively moved into and out of display positions.

6. An automatically changing sign or advertising device as claimed inclaim 5, characteriz ed in' that each rectangular operatmg member has orencloses an area substantially thesame as the surface area of a slat. 7.An automatlcally changing sign or ad vertising device comprising aseries of end-- less carriers arranged in superposed or side memberscomprising a pair of intercon-.

nect-ed parallel rods extending immediately behind the transverseedgeportions of a slat in a display position, said pair of rods beingmounted to turn about an axis extending parallel to the rods anddisposed centrally thereof when viewed from the side, and means forintermittently and simultaneously turning said operating members wherebythe slats of each series will be successively moved into and positions.7

'8. An automatically changing sign or advertisement as claimed in claim7 character ized by arms spanning the ends of the rods of each operatingmember so as to interconnect the rods, and a spindle extending parallelto said rods, said arms being mounted centrally'of their length on saidspindle.

9. An automatically changing sign or ad- Vertising'device comprising aseries of end less flex ble bands arranged in superposed or slde by sideformation, a serlesof slats bearing sections of different signs oradvertisements for each'carrier, each slat being attached to a band by'apair of retainers secured to the inner or nondisplay surface of the slatadjacent the opposite transverse edges thereof,'isaid retainers havingprojections, rotary operating members extending between theoppositestretches of each carrier at the front of the device, each operatingmember comprising'a pair of in: terconnected parallel rods extendingbehind the transverse edge portions of a slat in the display positionand contacting with said slat retainer projections, said pair of rodsbeing adapted. to turn about an axis parallel to the rods and disposedcentrally thereof when viewed from the side, and .means forintermittently and simultaneously actuating said rotary members wherebythe slats of each series will be successively moved into and out ofdisplay positions.

10. In an automatically changing sign or advertising device having aseries of endless carriers, series of display slats on said carriers,and means for intermittently and,

plane surface, the provision of slat alignout of display- 90,,

opposite ing means adapted to come into operation automatically at eachchange of sign 1n order to positively align the slats in the displayposition and maintain them perfectly lflush With each other duringthedisplay period. a

11. In an automatically changing sign or advertising device set forth inclaim 1O characterized in that said slat aligning means comprises astraight edged member movably mounted adjacent said slats when in thedisplayposition, and spring means adaptedto automatically force saidmember against the slats, or members connectedtherewith, at thecompletion of each change tively high speed during each change of signand at relatively loW speedwhile each signis being displayed.

4 14. An automatically changingsign or ad? vertislng device as-clalmed mcla1m13 Whereinlsaid continuously rotated shaft is driven by an electricmotor, said motor being connected in circuit with a resistance havingassociated means whereby it is automatically shunted or cut out of thecircuit during such periods as the drive is being transmitted tothe'slat carriers,

Inztestimony whereof I affix my signature,

F; L. BEDDI'SON'.

